Poor posture isn’t just a “looks” issue. It can change how well you breathe and how smoothly your digestion works. When you slouch or hunch forward, your rib cage and belly space get smaller. That can limit how well your diaphragm moves, make breathing shallower, and increase pressure on your stomach and intestines. Over time, this pattern can contribute to symptoms like shortness of breath, low energy, heartburn/acid reflux (GERD), bloating, and constipation. In my clinic, I often explain this as a “stacking” problem: your head, ribs, and pelvis stop lining up. The nervous system and the breathing muscles then have to work harder, and the abdomen stays compressed—especially if you sit like this for hours each day. This is one reason an integrative chiropractic approach often focuses on posture, rib mobility, breathing mechanics, and movement habits—not just pain relief. Why Slouching Can Make Breathing Feel Harder Your diaphragm needs room to move Your diaphragm is your main breathing...
Chiropractic Wedges Explained: Gentle, Gravity-Assisted Support for Alignment, Posture, and Comfortable Rehabilitation
If you’ve ever been in a chiropractic office and seen a triangle-shaped foam block placed under your neck, hips, or feet, you’ve seen a chiropractic wedge (sometimes called a block ). These tools look simple, but they can be very useful when they’re used correctly and matched to the right person. Wedges are angled foam or orthopedic supports that help position the body, using gravity and gentle pressure to encourage better alignment, stretching, and movement. Instead of forcing motion, wedges often work through passive, comfortable positioning —meaning your own body weight and posture do much of the work. Clinics may use wedges to support: Natural spinal curves (especially the neck and low back) Pelvic balance and sacral mechanics Foot biomechanics (pronation/supination patterns that can affect knees, hips, and spine) Postural strain relief during rehabilitation and home care This approach is often used alongside hands-on chiropractic care and other therapies. National heal...
